Wii U Drop Test By GizmoSlip: New Nintendo GamePad Is Tougher Than It Looks

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YouTube bloggers GizmoSlip have taken it upon themselves to drop test the new Nintendo Wii U GamePad to see just how durable it is.

In an effort to allay the fear of concerned parents, worried the $300 device won't stand up to the rambunctious activity of their children, the guys began by dropping the console's innovative controller from a height of 4-foot onto the sidewalk.

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On first inspection, other than mild cosmetic scratches, the device was completely intact both after being dropped on its back and being dropped on its side.

The controller was then turned on and off and, remarkably, worked fine.

The final test was to drop it onto the controller's front, which contains a touchscreen display panel allowing the device to be used almost like a tablet computer.

Again, remarkably, the device survived almost intact with minor cosmetic scratches to show for being dropped directly onto concrete.

When the device was turned on, everything seemed to be working fine, proving the Wii U controller is a robust and rugged device.

The guys at GizmoSlip are famous for dropping the latest tech gadgets onto the concrete, such as Apple's iPad, Amazon's Kindle or Google' Nexu 7 tablets.

Two weeks ago they tested the 5th generation iPod Touch which didn't hold up so well. While surviving the back and side drops, the screen was virtually destroyed by the front drop.

Nintendo released the Wii U on November 18, becoming the first of the big three console manufacturers (which includes Microsoft and Sony) to release its next generation video games devices.

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime told CNET recently that the company had shifted 400k units of the console in the first week.

"Wii U is essentially sold out of retail and we are doing our best to continually replenish stock," Fils-Aime said. "Retailers are also doing their best to get the product to store shelves. But as soon as product hits retail, they're selling out immediately."

Like the famous "Nunchuck" controller which brought motion detection to Nintendo's original Wii console, the Wii U GamePad is the console's most innovative feature.

The 6.2-inch 854×480pixel touchscreen display can be used to control the action on the screen or to stream content in its own right. It features a stylus, front-facing camera, dual analog sticks and motion control support